Short connection times, are you allowed into the next train if you miss?

guto8797

Hello, I will be travelling with my family of 4 from Como to Zurich in August. One of the suggested routes has some tight connection times: 4 minutes in Lugano to make it from platform 4 to platform 3, and 4 minutes to make ti from platfrom 5 to platform 4 in Arth-Goldau.

We will not be carrying heavy luggage, but are these connection times realistic? Looking at the station maps, in Lugano we would have to go down and up the stairs. What if there is something like a 2 minute delay? In case we miss the connection, would we be allowed in the next train?

Thanks!

Danhiel

Hello guto8797

Yes, these connection times are realistic, otherwise they would not be offered. If you miss the connection due to a delay, you can take the next train with the same ticket. But you can also change the settings and ask for a longer connection time.

From Lugano to Zurich, look for a train without change in Arth-Goldau.

Kind regards
Danhiel

RedBaron

guto8797 What if there is something like a 2 minute delay?

If the operational circumstances are allowing it, the departure of the 2nd train may also be delayed up to a certain extent. This is a specific decision done at the SBB’s train control (operations) center.

RolandP

… and in Arth-Goldau, tracks 4 | 5 do share the same platform…

Kind regards,
Roland

Tafunge25

RolandP … and in Arth-Goldau, tracks 4 | 5 do share the same platform…

but the platform is really wide on the Zürich side, so board the train rather towards the rear part:

guto8797

Thanks everyone, although I guess its kind of a moot point. The SBB website was telling me that the route with transfers was starting at 35CHF without a pass, but opening it up to actually purchase it revealed the price to really be 71CHF.

Kind of a different thing, but does anyone know if, when you buy a day pass, can you buy a regular ticket from Como to the first station on the swiss side, where the day pass is in effect, and not have to leave the train?

Krist

guto8797 Kind of a different thing, but does anyone know if, when you buy a day pass, can you buy a regular ticket from Como to the first station on the swiss side, where the day pass is in effect, and not have to leave the train?

Yes. You can do just that. Get a Saver Day Pass for example, and just add a ticket Como - Chiasso. And then just stay on the train.

RolandP

Hello guto8797

35 CHF if you own the Swiss Half Fare Card…

Kind regards,
Roland

Krist

If the delay of the first trains results in the connection time dropping below the minimum connection time then you can treat the connection as missed. And in that case you can take the next train. But for small delays it is common for trains to wait. For example in Interlaken Ost departing trains will wait up to 3 minutes for delayed trains.

Once I was travelling to Belalp, and our IC to Brig was delayed by 3 minutes. When we arrived at the bus stops in fron of the station all the busses had “+3” on their departure boards. They know that the IC was late, and all the buses waited…

Its like a relay race, and you are the baton. So for example take Lugano: If the RE80 arrives before the IC there has left the conductor will hold the train there long enough so that everyone can make the transfer. Of course if the RE80 is delayed longer then the IC will not wait, but then you can of course just take the next train (even an EC in this case…)